10 Best Web Application Development Companies in Singapore for Customised B2B and B2C Systems

How to Select That Website & Web Applications Developer That Maximises Technologies and Platforms

Internet user engagement and penetration in Singapore is about 88.5%, with most people spending an average of 8 hours daily according to Statista’s figures for 2022. Of that figure, 68% purchase good and services online, the most popular of which are food and groceries, travel products, and event tickets. Worldwide, 90% of the time spent by people on the internet is through applications or apps. These are compelling numbers to invest in a website or web application for your company because it’s not just the big corporations that benefit from the trend, but medium and small-sized businesses will do better with an online store.

Even with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the use of apps has increased to about 36%, as well as the types of activities done on the apps. At least 1.79 billion people worldwide shopped online in 2020 alone.

The trend lately for most businesses, as lockdowns became common during the pandemic, is to put up an online storefront. As a result, less than 64% of small businesses have a website, and 71% of small to medium-sized companies market their goods and services on social media.

Website and web apps therefore are not only avenues for promoting the brand but its allows the business to get feedback from users, drive traffic, get insight into consumer behavior, and monitor conversations about the business.

This article examines the differences between website and web applications development and discusses what happens during the web app development process.

What a Website and Web Application Should Have

With an online presence through a website or web application, expect your business always to be visible to customers, even overseas, to provide value. The information is readily available to create a direct marketing channel without having to spend a lot of money and to improve customer engagement because they have a way to reach you easily.

Traditional marketing and advertising methods such as direct mail, magazine and newspaper ads, and broadcasting cost more and do not always guarantee a broad reach. With an online search and social networking presence, however, you can reach more people by spending less. Keep in mind that 55% of consumers research your business and products or services through social media before deciding to purchase, while 65% rely on recommendations and reviews on websites.

The big question for any business wishing to invest in an online storefront is the web page, web apps, or both? Below are some factors to keep in mind:

• A website is cheaper than an app, works on multiple devices, and is easier to share or link than an app. It is also easier to find your site when searching online, plus it is cheaper to create and update because you do not need several versions.
• Native apps take advantage of a phone or tablet’s hardware, making the experience unique. Mobile apps are a great way to deepen your relationship with customers because your engagement with them can be customised and unique, something a website cannot do.
• Experts say that small to medium businesses and independent companies will do well with a website. Still, enterprises specialising in retail can keep up with competition and demands with an app. Most companies with the time and resources invested in a desktop website and mobile app version, especially those selling products and services.

There are differences in the purpose, development process, launching, resources, and teams needed for a website and web app. A business website has the following characteristics:

• It is globally accessible and is made up of interlinked web pages
• It is hosted on a single or multiple web server and accessible via a network
• The development time focuses into content and website architecture
• Used for a variety of purposes such as an explanation of your products or services
• It also helps potential customers or clients by providing them with the information
• Provides a summary of your company
• Explains how you differ from the competition
• Has a page that answers frequently asked questions
• Includes reviews and testimonials from previous customers
• Has a contact page
• Includes a detail of the privacy policy and terms and conditions
• Has a sitemap
• Needs a team of project managers, content creators and front-end developers

A business needs a website for the following reasons: you need a method to showcase products and services, create a social proof of your company to help in branding and achieving business goals, and increase customer support online.

A business web app has the following characteristics:

• Built for different types of users and with a high level of security and functionality
• Made using two phases: the minimum viable product or its basic functionality and scaling
• The development process focuses on functionality
• Unregistered website visitors are encouraged to register as it requires authentication
• Allows for offline usage
• Fast-loading content and images
• Social integration options
• Has a feedback system
• Has notifications with settings that can be changed
• Customisation options
• Needs a team of project managers, back-end and front-end developers, and UI/UX specialists
• Needs a database and back-end solution for hosting

A business needs a web app instead of a website for the following reasons: easier method to maintain a site, you need a website that is compatible with multiple devices and platforms, allow access to users any time and any form, and a scalable and easily-tested solution.

Web apps, therefore, have a distinct advantage over websites by allowing multiple users access to the same version of the application without the need for installation or use of a different device or browser. Data retrieval is fast in web apps, making it easy to store user preferences and take proactive actions for a better overall experience.

10 Phases in Web Application Development

Let us take a closer look at each stage of the web app development process not only to understand what goes on but to better tailor the app to the needs of your business.

• Discussion of Web Application Framework

The first step is to discuss the problem with the developers. The following are asked during the discussion: what are the application's needs? What are the issues it should address? Based on the examples from the competition and other business websites, what should the app fill? How will the app impact the business? How will it be used?

The answers to those questions can serve as project objectives, but those should be broken down into smaller tasks. To do that, a list of requirements is created. This includes separating the needs and goals, the individual steps for the project, and the features and modules.

After this, you will be given a timeline and cost estimation of the project based on the complexity of each task, the type of tasks required, and the development needed for each job.

• Creation of Web Development Roadmap

Once the needs and goals of the project are determined, a chart is created to serve as a guide. A web development roadmap contains the following essential features: goals and objectives of the project, a timeline which indicates the schedule, milestones and deliverables, risks, and dependencies.

A roadmap is necessary because it helps keep track of the tasks, resources, and ideas. It helps in decision-making because there is clear information. The goals are outlined and clear so that the developers can reach the deadlines reasonably, with regular updates from team members.

It also helps the business owners communicate with the developers and know what happens during the project.

• Deciding on the Target Audience

The target audience of the web app has to be defined by gathering the following information: web access capabilities or how and where they access the internet connection; type of audience based on age or gender; and quantitative audience stats which show potential visitors.

The information will provide the audience’s preferences, habits, and expectations. Suppose you know the target audience and meet their needs; in that case, there is an increase in customer engagement. This will make it is easier to create a better search engine optimisation, lowers the bounce rates on your website, especially for first-time visitors, and entices the high potential leads to grow your number of customers.

• Determining the Specifications and Functionalities

Next, a detailed feature summary document lists the technical specifications and functionalities. A functional specification should describe the appearance, user interaction, and intended capabilities based on the information about the target audience. It is a guide for the developers writing the code.

The document includes the following information: project scope, risks and assumptions, product overview, use cases or functional requirements, essential features, configuration, non-essential features, and error reporting.

• Selecting the Third-Party Vendors

Most of the time, making apps for small businesses relies on third-party vendors because they are cheaper. Generally, third-party vendors include the following: SSL certificate provider, merchant account and payment gateway, managed server provider, fulfilment centres, and web server or network or firewall provider.

The developers you hire will select which third-party vendors are necessary for your business app. For example, retail web applications need a way for customers to pay for products safely. This is done safer and more accessible through a third-party payment gateway instead of building a new one entirely just for the website.

• Adding the Technology and Web Application Frameworks

The tools or technology stack for creating the app are selected at this stage, including the web technologies, platform, structure, framework, and environment. The developers can give the client a timeline for when the tasks can be completed.

The web framework supports the application and provides a standard for building and deploying it on the web. The structure can help save time during the development because the developers do not have to build everything from scratch. It also facilitates debugging and maintenance.

• Designing the Layout and User Interface

By this time, the developers will give you an idea of what the site looks like through a sitemap. The sitemap shows the relationships between the main pages of the site. The sitemap includes the following: services, contact information, portfolio, products or services, technologies, and information about the company.

The app’s UI (user interface) flow is then shown to the client, which details the start-to-end process, the steps taken, and actions that should be done. It is like a diagram of what the client can expect.

Next, the sketch of the UI is also shown to the client. This is called a mockup or a wireframe. It shows the interface and interaction models that might be implemented. The layout can be reviewed and changed at this stage. The sketch is delivered to the client and must include the selected colours, images, logos, and other visual elements.

• Developing the Web Application

When the design is approved, the developers start creating the architecture and framework of the application. Developers refer to the specifications and functionalities development for the list of tasks during this stage.

The length of the software development process depends on the following factors: the architecture, the framework created, the design of the database structure, classes, modules, libraries, and the functionality of the entire project. The website's visual content, including the photos and videos, is also created.

• Writing Content for Web Pages

Potential users will need information about the company and its products and services. The content also upholds the purpose of the website. Quality content must be created to keep customers interested and informed about your brand. Content writing can overlap with other stages, usually before or during coding.

The content management system is vital in keeping web-based applications relevant and fresh for present and future users.

• Testing and Review of the Web Application

This is the essential part of the process as it will ensure a successful launch. The entire app is reviewed, including how it runs on different devices and browsers. All the links, scripts, and forms are checked, and the content is spell-checked and ensured valid and updated. The app undergoes beta testing to ensure good performance and usability and loads fast. The web application sercurity is also tested.

Once satisfactory, it is uploaded to a server and run through another test. After launch, the website is periodically updated and maintained to ensure that it is safe and functional.

6 Steps of Web Design Development

The following is a summary of the website development process:

• Planning and Information Gathering

Analysis of the clients’ requirements is done by the developer to help define the purpose and goals of the website. Information about the types of products or services are also gathered. The data gathered helps the developer select the right technologies to use. Next, the target audience is determined. It answers questions about their age, interests, and buying habits. These will tailor the content and design to the type of audience the website is made for.

• Creating the Strategy and Wireframe

The developer creates the development cycle to show the client what the site will look like. A sitemap will contain the following information: services, technologies, contact details, portfolio, products, and background of the company. A wireframe is then made as a visual representation of the user interface. This will make it easier for the client to visualise the website. It does not have the design yet but it describes the elements and location of the pages.

• Designing the Website

At this stage, the website will take shape through the visual content. These include the images, videos, and photos created for the site. The design represents the information structure and the basic functionality. The designer creates one or more prototypes (static images) to represent the final look until the client and the team decide on the final design.

• Building the Website

This is the development stage of the process. Static images are translated into HTML/CSS and then another layer of animation is added if it is part of the design. The homepage is the first to be built as it will serve as a template for the content pages. Interactive contact forms are also created at this stage along with the content for the pages. The content serves as the call to action for users to click on interactive elements, especially on informational websites.

• Launching, Testing, and Reviewing the Website

As each static web page element is created, they are tested to make sure they work. Before launch, cross-browser compatibility is also tested. Once satisfactory, the website is uploaded to a server and the files are uploaded. Testing and review of the website performance continues into post-launch to detect problems and ensure that it works. High priority tasks such as security issues are fixed first. Additional content is added post-launch to keep the website interesting and fresh for visitors.

Considerations When Hiring a Web Apps Developer

Working with a developer who understands what kind of business image you have and how you want to connect to your customers is just one factor. The following are other key considerations when hiring a developer for your business web app:

• Previous experience with a similar company

While skill is essential, you need to hire a developer with the right experience. Having worked for both backend development and front end development with other businesses before is a plus because they can anticipate the needs of the business and your company’s customers.

Ask for a portfolio of previous projects to determine the type of web apps they have made. The portfolio will also showcase their skillset such as security for sustaining and protecting the app, functions and designs for better customer experience, proficiency in front-end and back-end development languages, and knowledge in tech stacks and integration.

• Expertise in specific domains and platforms

Domains are specialised fields, which means that the developer should have the skills your industry is typically looking for. For example, retailers need to partner with developers that have knowledge about booking and online or electronic payment because the user activities on the app focus on looking for products or servicing, adding them to a shopping cart, and checking out.

Additionally, they must be familiar with the operating systems. This is crucial for mobile apps because you must ensure that the app works with any operating system such as iOS and Android. The developer should have expertise in both platforms and across devices. The cross-platform capabilities of the native app ensure that all core features will work regardless of the user's device.

• Adaptability in the face of changing needs

Having a specific skill set is impressive, but technology is constantly changing. A developer should be able to adapt to those changes and continue learning new things, such as a new programming language for a more complex web application.

The web developers must also be familiar with the web apps trends nowadays such as static web apps, portal web apps, and dynamic web apps. Experienced website developers must also be familiar with what currently works for different customers, especially e-commerce apps.

Takes data security seriously

If your business is primarily about retail, you must assure your customers that your platform is safe. Hire a third-party website development company that builds with a secure code during the development and provides multi-layered security. Additionally, you can write a non-disclosure agreement if your website or web app has customised features to ensure its safety.

For example, ask about how the development team tackles vulnerabilities in business apps such as the encrypting parameters, web app firewall, access controls, traffic filtering, and bot protection.

Websites and web applications create new possibilities for businesses. Websites ensure online presence of the brand and provide readily-available information for customers about your products and services. Web apps push the boundaries on design and usability that websites provide. How you decide depends on the level of engagement and interactivity you need for your products and service.

To help you decide which works better for your business, check the recommended web and web developer agencies on our list.